WATER SOURCES ARE ‘UNDER PRESSURE’

THE ongoing heatwave is leading to water supplies to be ‘under stress’ in the Dundalk area councillors heard at their July meeting.

Director of Service, Willie Walsh told members that concerted efforts are being made to conserve water, but he said they had ‘not quite reached the stage of stopping watering flowers.’ He added this was particularly important as the judging process for the ‘ Tidy Towns’ competition was imminent.

But he conceded that water restrictions were possible if the ongoing hot dry weather continued. ‘We are monitoring the reservoir supplies with real time feedback to engineers,’ said Mr. Walsh. ‘ These are showing signs of being under some stress, but water levels are varying at different locations. They are tending to recover at night what is being lost during the day.’

He explained that the main water sources for Louth were Lough Muckno and the Boyne.

Water resources were a little more under stress in the south of the county, he added.

Director of Services, Catherine Duff explained that the problem is access to raw water. She added that these are constantly being monitored.

Cllr. Mark Dearey added that a key factor in water conservation is the repair of leaks in the system. He highlighted one case in town where there has been a leak for over a year.

Cllr. Edel Corrigan agreed, adding that the issue of leaks had to be addressed as they were a source of major loss of water.

Cllr. Dearey also called for the ‘debate over the water infrastructure, supply and management’ to be renewed.

He added that paying for water was a debate which should be put to the public, saying that the ‘idea it will be paid for out of general taxation is just not feasible.’

‘Water charges were originally put to the public at a time of austerity, so the notion of paying was rejected. But the economy has improved and we need to have this debate again.’